Cricket: Black Caps keen to take series sweep

New Zealand players celebrate the series victory over South Africa after winning the second one day international at De Beers Diamond Oval in Kimberley, South Africa. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images)

All of a sudden the South African cricketers are coming under
scrutiny and it's fair to say the Black Caps are taking some
satisfaction from it.

New Zealand have the chance to grab an unprecedented 3-0
one-day series whitewash in the final game in Potchefstroom
tomorrow morning (NZT) which would further underline their
achievement in winning a series in South Africa in any format
of the game for the first time.

The last time New Zealand won a three-match series 3-0
against a major team was in 2006-07, when they beat Australia
at home. In contrast, South Africa have never lost all
matches in a three-match series at home.

The Proteas are wrestling with the absence of a number of
top-line players, including Jacques Kallis (rested), Hashim
Amla, JP Duminy (both injured) and AB de Villiers (suspended)
and a rotation policy that has been unsettling for many.

On top of that, they also have a young skipper in Faf du
Plessis, who is standing in for the suspended de Villiers,
while test captain and senior batsman Graeme Smith carefully
juggles trying to give some guidance without stepping on du
Plessis' toes.

They had chances to win both of the first two games but
failed to finish off New Zealand in the first and then fell
apart in the second.

The Black Caps feel little sympathy for their opponents who
were ruthless in their dismantling of New Zealand in the test
series.

"Two-nil is a great result for us but 3-0 will be even
better, especially after the tour we have had,'' bowling
coach Shane Bond said. "We know what it's like to be on the
receiving end on this tour so it would be nice to return the
favour.

"[South Africa have some players out] but it's part and
parcel of cricket. We have got a couple of our best players
sitting at home as well so it's probably just evened things
out.

"We want to finish the series well. We don't want to get
hammered in the last game and people consider [the first two
games] a fluke. We want to put in a good performance and win
3-0,''

South African fans have so far been largely patient because
of the success they are enjoying in test cricket as the No
1-ranked side in the world, but it won't sit comfortably with
them if they lose 3-0 to a New Zealand side who were at one
of their lowest points in cricket history a fortnight ago.

South Africa coach Gary Kirsten plans to focus more on
one-day cricket this year as they build up to the 2015 World
Cup - test cricket was the priority in 2012 - and has his eye
on the bigger picture. He makes no apology for experimenting
against New Zealand but fans have not enjoyed seeing their
side lose.

"We're not proud of our performances especially as we were in
winning situations in both games,'' Kirsten told reporters
overnight.

"But we've taken a lot out of it and sometimes, to fulfil a
longer-term vision, you need to take a few steps back. It
gives us clarity where we're going as a team and what our
combinations will look like going forward.

"We didn't take New Zealand for granted but we also needed to
find a series where we could explore new talent and look to
find the right balance. Our long-term vision kicks in where
we can explore depth and give others opportunities.''